We just sold this beautiful townhouse in Hill Ridge Court!
Read more at http://www.alexx.ca/2012/rarely-available-townhome-backing-onto-16-mile-creek-ravine/
MLS#2037559
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday and Sunday March 3-4 Classical Home
March 3, 2012 (Saturday) By Leave a Comment
3336 Sawmill Valley Drive, Mississauga, ON
Open House this Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4, 2012, 1PM to 5PM
Hosted by Diana Vernon, Salesperson
Come by and check out this great home in Prestigious Sawmill Valley just reduced in price to $889,900 - MLS#2039235/ H3060591 Read more at http://www.alexx.ca/2012/stately-classic-georgian-elegance/
PRICE REDUCED! 3336 Sawmill Valley Drive
February 29, 2012 (Wednesday) By Leave a Comment
We just reduced this elegant home to $889,900
Read more http://www.alexx.ca/2012/stately-classic-georgian-elegance/
MLS# 2039235
JUST REDUCED! Beautiful Old Mill Penthouse
February 28, 2012 (Tuesday) By Leave a Comment
We just reduced this great condo to $279,900
Read more at http://www.alexx.ca/2012/fantastic-penthouse-at-old-mill/
MLS#2038318
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday and Sunday 1pm-5pm Elegant 5 bedroom, Mississauga
February 23, 2012 (Thursday) By Leave a Comment
3336 Sawmill Valley Drive, Mississauga, ON
Open House this Saturday and Sunday, Feb 25 and 26, 2012, 1PM to 5PM
Hosted by Diana Vernon, Salesperson
Come by and check out this great home in Prestigious Sawmill Valley For sale at $928,800 - MLS#2039235/ H3060591Read more at http://www.alexx.ca/2012/stately-classic-georgian-elegance/
Just Listed: Prestigious Sawmill Valley
February 21, 2012 (Tuesday) By Leave a Comment
Explore the stately elegance of this 5 bedroom, 3 car garage home in Mississauga’s prestigious Sawmill Valley.
More on this fantastic classical home here:
http://www.alexx.ca/2012/stately-classic-georgian-elegance/
OPEN HOUSE: Sun 1pm-5pm :Classical 5 br Mississauga
February 18, 2012 (Saturday) By Leave a Comment
3336 Sawmill Valley Drive, Mississauga, ON
Open House this Sunday, Feb 19,2012, 1PM to 5PM
Hosted by Diana Vernon, Salesperson
Come by and check out this great home in Prestigious Sawmill Valley For sale at $928,800 - MLS#2039235/ H3060591Read more at http://www.alexx.ca/2012/stately-classic-georgian-elegance/
2011: Average year or stellar year?
January 31, 2012 (Tuesday) By Leave a Comment
In my last Market Pulse, I tried to highlight the importance of looking at context when interpreting statistical information, especially something as vague as an average.
Now that we’re looking at the whole of 2011 in reflection, let’s talk a bit about how the market performed and how averages stack up.
There were 3338 sales recorded in 2011 in Oakville. That’s 8.84% more homes sold than in 2010. The Oakville-wide average sale price was a whopping $607,783, a fantastic 7.49% higher than 2010’s average of $565,454. Good sales numbers driven by increased consumer confidence and continued low interest rates. Pretty impressive figures, no doubt, but not a true picture of Oakville’s real estate landscape, which is varied, North to South, East to West.
Looking at the chart below, we can see wild variations in the average sale price of a home in particular neighbourhoods. From a decrease of 12.5% to an increase of nearly 33%, and with averages by neighbourhood from $395,120 to $1,416,467, Oakville’s average prices are all over the place! This is a testament to the how different each neighbourhood in Oakville really is.
Take Central Oakville as an example. Down 12.5% with the exact same number of homes sold in 2011 as 2010. The reason is simple: Whereas in 2010 a good number of properties sold in Central were higher end detached homes, in 2011, more sales were entry level townhomes and condo apartments, driving the average price down. If we were to dig down a little deeper, the average price for properties under $700,000 actually increased about 8.7%. It’s only the lack of sales at higher price points that bring the overall average down.
I’ve said it before, and will say it again, averages are dangerous if used improperly. Always consult a knowledgeable Realtor® for an accurate, complete, and relevant interpretation of market statistics and conditions.
Alexx
|
Average Sale Price |
||||
|
2010 |
2011 |
% change | ||
| Bronte Creek |
$564,083 |
$609,045 |
7.97% |
|
| Bronte |
$542,501 |
$578,905 |
6.71% |
|
| Central |
$639,606 |
$559,559 |
-12.51% |
|
| College Park |
$390,726 |
$434,472 |
11.20% |
|
| Clearview |
$511,716 |
$534,852 |
4.52% |
|
| Falgarwood |
$371,186 |
$395,120 |
6.45% |
|
| Ford |
$958,968 |
$916,969 |
-4.38% |
|
| Glen Abbey |
$490,205 |
$509,548 |
3.95% |
|
| Joshua Creek |
$774,394 |
$808,055 |
4.35% |
|
| Morrison |
$1,304,975 |
$1,416,467 |
8.54% |
|
| Old Oakville |
$834,980 |
$1,107,342 |
32.62% |
|
| River Oaks |
$436,916 |
$469,933 |
7.56% |
|
| Southwest |
$1,141,777 |
$1,180,301 |
3.37% |
|
| Wedgewood Creek |
$511,814 |
$564,277 |
10.25% |
|
| Westmount |
$513,010 |
$553,606 |
7.91% |
|
| West Oakville |
$486,801 |
$522,100 |
7.25% |
|
| West Oak Trails |
$460,885 |
$495,081 |
7.42% |
|
| Oakville |
$565,454 |
$607,783 |
7.49% |
|
Take Control of your Mortgage
September 20, 2011 (Tuesday) By Leave a Comment
Take Control of your Mortgage
The biggest responsibility we take on as new homeowners is debt re-payment. That cursed mortgage: It enables us to get the home we want, but then sticks around for 20 to 35 years
It is every homeowner’s dream to be mortgage free, but are we doing everything we can to achieve that goal as soon as possible? (I don’t want to wait 25 or 30 years to be mortgage free, I want it A LOT SOONER than that.)
I found this company that specializes in spreadsheets, and they came up with an excellent mortgage calculator for Canadians. I use it extensively with my clients to figure out mortgage payments, personal budgets, and how it all ties in together. You can download it here: http://www.vertex42.com/Calculators/Canadian-mortgage.html (check out their other offerings for family and personal budgets)
Why I like this calculator:
- It lets you put in all the details of your mortgage and choose your Amortization Period (Great for planning)
- It shows you the Fully Amortized cost of your home (what it really costs at the end of the 20-30 years)
- It shows you the Balance at Term (what you’ll have to renew in 3-5 years – The Interest Paid should make you ill)
- It lets you factor in Extra Payments, and as you do, reflects the impact on your Mortgage. (This is the really cool part of the spreadsheet! This is how you become MORTGAGE FREE!)
Most mortgages today have pre-payment options that allow you to make extra payments, this tool helps you visualize taking advantage of those pre-payments.
Say, for example, you have a $400,000 mortgage at 3.49%, amortized over 30 years (a typical mortgage today). Your monthly payments are $1,788.35, and in 30 years you’ll be mortgage free, (assuming the rate doesn’t change in that time period, which it will, but for argument’s sake, it stays steady)
- In the five year term of the mortgage, you’ll pay off $41,428,60 from your Principal, and $65,872.40 in Interest
- Now, you find an extra $100 (one hundred) dollars per month, and add it as an Extra Payment on your mortgage. Congratulations, you just took 2.58 YEARS off your mortgage, saving you $24,373.41 in INTEREST! (Disclaimer: this does assume your mortgage rate will stay the same the whole time, which it won’t, but the principle applies nonetheless)
- With an extra $100/month, In the five year term of the mortgage, you’ll pay off $47,969.41 from your Principal, and $65,331.59 in Interest. That’s an EXTRA $6,540.81 Paid OFF, and about $500 less interest paid.
How are YOU going to find $100 extra per month? Let us know
Alexx
Offer Rejected? Here’s What You Should Do
July 19, 2011 (Tuesday) By
The home buying process can be stressful, particularly for first-time buyers.
But even seasoned buyers can be disappointed when their first offer is rejected.
Luckily, in real estate, “no” doesn’t usually mean “no.” It simply means “let’s talk.”
And it’s here that you can be glad you have a qualified real estate agent in your corner, because at that point it’s all about negotiation.
A rejected offer is not uncommon. As your real estate agent will explain, it sets the stage for what can be a long process.
Just as you and your agent worked hard on a first offer that was fair but less than your bottom line, you’ll both have to work hard now on a compromise.
In the case of multiple bids, your real estate agent might recommend you cut to the chase and submit your bottom-line offer.
Your real estate agent will likely point out to the seller’s agent that this is your best offer.
Take it or leave it.
You run the risk of losing, but if you’re a first-time buyer, you may not have the resources for a bidding war.
In most offers there are other items that can be the basis of trade-offs.
These include closing dates, closing costs, inclusions and needed repairs.
No matter how much you want the high-end stove and refrigerator, don’t tie your real estate agent’s hands by insisting that those appliances be included.
You may lose your dream home for a few thousand dollars.
And don’t let emotion get in the way. That’s why you have someone to negotiate for you. When you hire a licensed real estate agent, you can be sure that he or she is highly trained and has years of experience in negotiations.
You’re in good hands, so relax and let go.